Gut & Digestive Health
Parasites
Parasites are organisms that live in, on, or with a host and survive by feeding on that host’s resources. Although they rarely kill their host, they can cause irritation, inflammation, and ongoing symptoms.
Common Symptoms
- Bloating, gas, and abdominal cramping that comes and goes
- Nausea, diarrhea, or constipation
- Changes in stool, including mucus or occasionally blood
- Unexplained weight loss or reduced appetite
- Fatigue or weakness, especially with ongoing infection
- Skin or rectal itching, which can be more noticeable at night
It is possible to have parasites and very few symptoms, or to have symptoms start long after the initial exposure.
Likely Root Causes and Contributors
Parasites take advantage of openings in your defenses and terrain. They thrive when the gut barrier, immune system, and microbiome are under strain, and when exposure risk is high.
- Contaminated food or water: Drinking contaminated water or eating raw or undercooked food, especially meat, fish, or unwashed produce, is one of the most common ways parasites enter the body.
- Travel to high-risk regions: Exposure is more common in areas where sanitation, food safety, and water treatment systems are limited.
- Poor food handling or hygiene practices: Inadequate handwashing, improper food preparation, or cross-contamination in the kitchen can allow parasite eggs or cysts to spread.
- Close contact with infected people or animals: Some parasites can spread through shared living environments, contaminated surfaces, or contact with infected pets or livestock.
- Weakened gut and immune defenses: Disruptions in the gut microbiome, chronic digestive issues, or reduced immune function can make it easier for parasites to survive and multiply after exposure.
Patient Pain Points We Often Hear
“I have bloating, loose stools, and odd stomach pains, but every basic test is ‘normal,’ and I am tired of feeling like it is all in my head.”
“I actually saw something in my stool and now I feel scared, embarrassed, and unsure where to turn, especially because I already feel weak and exhausted.”
“Since this started, I do not feel like myself anymore, with fatigue, itchiness, and food reactions that make social events, travel, and even daily work feel stressful.”
Our Approach to Healing
How We Map, Treat, and Sustain Real Recovery from Parasites with the LAM Method™
Our approach to healing parasites uses the three phases of LAM Method™: Learn the Why, Address the Root, Maximize Longevity. Here’s how we use the LAM Method™ to address Parasites:
Phase 1 of LAM Method™
Learn the Why of Parasites
At Lam Clinic, we focus on identifying why parasites were able to take hold in the first place. The organism matters, but the condition of your gut, immune system, and stress response matters just as much.
Most relevant tests may include:
- Stool O&P (ova and parasite exam; multiple samples best)
- Comprehensive Stool Test or PCR stool panel (pathogens, dysbiosis, inflammation, sIgA, zonulin antibody, enzymes, short chain fatty acids)
- Organic acids test (gut bacterial and yeast + mitochondrial markers)
- Metabolomics/micronutrient test
- Mycotoxin panel (if mold suspected)
- Heavy metals
Serum Labs may include:
- CBC with differential (eosinophilia, anemia)
- CMP (liver/kidney baseline and during treatment)
- Ferritin, B12, folate (nutrient depletion)
- IgE (general allergy/parasitic response)
- CRP/ESR (inflammation)
For more information about specific tests and labs used in parasites evaluation, you can explore our full service page.
Phase 2 of LAM Method™
Address the Root of Parasites
Once we see the pattern, we work on rebuilding the terrain that allowed parasites to thrive. For some, this includes prescription antiparasitic medications. For others, we prioritize gentle, layered support first.
Targeted Supplement Support
- Herbal antimicrobials chosen and rotated based on tolerance and pattern (for example oregano oil, black walnut,, berberine, or allicin) to help reduce overgrowth of both bacteria and candida
- Digestive enzymes to improve breakdown of food and reduce gas and bloating from fermentation
- Probiotics to help rebalance the microbiome
- Fiber support when appropriate
- Vitamin C and zinc for immune resilience
When appropriate, medications or targeted antimicrobials may be used. These are sequenced and adjusted based on your response.
IV Therapies
- IV Nutrient Therapy: Replenishes key vitamins and minerals to strengthen immune function and support the body’s natural ability to defend against parasitic infections.
- IV Ozone Autohemotherapy: Enhances oxygenation and supports immune activity, helping create an internal environment that is less favorable for parasites.
This information is educational, not a prescription. Your actual plan is always individualized, adjusted slowly, and refined based on how your body responds.
Phase 3 of LAM Method™
Maximize Longevity
As symptoms ease and your system steadies, we help you protect that progress so you are not back at square one with the next stressor or trip.
Lifestyle Foundations
- Use food and water precautions consistently: Drink filtered or properly treated water, wash produce well, and avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish, or shellfish to reduce ongoing exposure.
- Support regular bowel movements: Constipation can increase symptom burden. Prioritize fluids, magnesium if appropriate, and fiber only if it is well tolerated and does not worsen bloating.
- Choose simple, easy-to-digest meals during flare-ups: Smaller meals with cooked vegetables, soups, and plainly prepared proteins can be easier on the gut when nausea, cramping, or bloating are active.
- Be strict with hand and household hygiene: Wash hands after using the bathroom and before eating, keep nails short, and wash bedding and towels regularly if reinfection or household spread is a concern
NEM Response Circuits
How Your Body Regulate Stress
Your body handles stress through six interconnected circuits. When even one is out of balance, symptoms can show up in your heart, hormones, energy, and more.
Top Articles
Expert Insights on Parasites
Ready to Start Feeling Better? Let’s figure this out—together.
Take the QuizFrequently Asked Questions
Can Lam Clinic help with parasites?
Yes. Lam Clinic supports people with parasite-related concerns, especially when symptoms keep coming back or don’t improve with basic approaches. Using the Lam Method, we look at parasites through your full NEM Stress Response to understand what’s making your system vulnerable in the first place. We identify which areas are under the most strain, then support your gut environment, detox capacity, immune balance, and overall stress resilience in a coordinated way so progress is steadier and more sustainable.
How do you know you have a parasite?
Recurring bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rashes, unexplained weight changes, fatigue, or seeing something unusual in your stool may point toward parasites. A clinical evaluation and targeted stool testing provide the most reliable confirmation.
What foods increase the risk of parasites?
Raw or undercooked meat, raw fish, contaminated water, and poorly washed fruits or vegetables are the most common sources. Proper cooking, washing, and water filtration significantly reduce risk.
Do parasites go away on their own?
Some mild infections may self resolve, but many persist and silently strain your gut, immune system, and energy. It’s safer to get evaluated early to prevent chronic inflammation or complications.
Do you offer virtual visits and where are you located?
Yes. We offer secure telehealth visits worldwide and in person care at our clinic in Tustin, California. We proudly serve patients across Orange County including Irvine, Santa Ana, Orange, Costa Mesa, and Anaheim, as well as individuals throughout the United States and internationally who seek personalized parasite, gut, and NEM stress response guidance from the comfort of home.
The Lam Family has helped thousands recover from fatigue and stress for years.
Using advanced diagnostics and whole-body care, the Lam family looks beyond routine labs to uncover the real reasons behind fatigue—like adrenal stress, hormone imbalance, and nutrient depletion. Then, they create a personalized plan to help you heal fully and feel like yourself again.
The Pioneer of Root-Cause Healing & Whole Person Care
Before adrenal fatigue was widely understood, Dr. Michael Lam, M.D. led the way—developing one of the first clinical approaches to diagnose and treat it. His bestselling book, Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome, became a lifeline for patients around the world. Today, his children—Dr. Carrie Lam and Dr. Jeremy Lam—carry that legacy forward, building on his foundation with advanced diagnostics and whole-person care for lasting recovery.
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